England v. Croatia Live!
posted by The Blue Devil @ 7:28 AM
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Contributors
Previous Posts
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197 Comments:
Morning, boys! Don’t call it a payback. Nothing England achieve today will realistically assuage the everlasting pain and regret of their World Cup semi-final defeat to Croatia. But victory would still be pretty sweet.
Only five of the team that started the World Cup semi-final are in the England XI today; they are also playing a different formation. Gareth Southgate’s restless development of the side is really interesting.
England (4-3-3) Pickford; Walker, Gomez, Stones, Chilwell; Dier, Barkley, Delph; Sterling, Kane, Rashford.
Substitutes: Butland, McCarthy, Alexander-Arnold, Lingard, Dunk, Keane, Sancho, Shaw, Winks, Alli, Loftus-Cheek, Wilson.
Croatia (4-2-3-1) Kalinic; Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Jedvaj; Modric, Brozovic; Rebic, Vlasic, Perisic; Kramaric.
Substitutes: Livakovic, Letica, A Milic, Mitrovic, Brekalo, Caleta-Car, Bradaric, Pasalic, Rog, Badel, Pjaca, Pivaric
Wahay! The coverage on ESPN2 has finally started!
Kate's thoughts on the morning's proceedings: "What, Croatia again?! Why? That's dumb!"
My sentiments exactly.
Teams in the tunnel now at Wemberley!
Good morning, Bob.Took Sparky walkies, fed the pets, took out the trash, and now joined by Fred.
Morning, MUR - great to have you on board. Excellent timing!
They're off from Wembley
COME ON ENGLAND!
Croatia get us underway, wearing all black. England in their all-white kid. Ian Darke and Double T on the commentary duties.
Cheers, mate. Glad to join you. Croatia again? Seems just like yesterday these two were playing
Like the Gooner, not happy with the choice of announcers
Oh - early chance for Rebic there after Stones coughed up the ball in a dangerous area.
A miscommunication between Citeh players Stones and Delph, but Ante Rebic shot well over.
Unlike the WC semi, this one will not go to ET
Harry Kane offside off a run and pass from Rash
England starting to click now after a nervy start.
Sterling with a good run but poor final ball. Still earns a corner.
Horrible pass from Sterling off a pass from Kyle Walker, but hoofed away for an England corner.
Poor corner from Chilwell. But another corner to come.
Horrible corner from Chilly cut out by the first man, Modric , for another . Next one from Chilly cleared
England need to get at this team with their pace and be direct. I think this Croatia team has some weaknesses.
England have played well, but some less than Sterling passing once they get near the Croatia goal.
I agree, mate. That seems to be Gareth's game plan.
Oh - Harry Kane plays Sterling in there but the Citeh man can't finish it one-on-one with the keeper.
Oh - now Kane misses a big chance at the backpost off the corner!
OH!!!! Kane put Sterling through as he got behind Vida. Was through, but shot right at Kalinic for a corner. that is headed on by Stones and Kane misses a sitter, shooting wide from a couple of yards out
The possession stats are flipped from the semi meeting.
England pressure young keeper, Kalinic into a poor clearance.
Oh - Kane misses another big chance! How did he find the one place where a Croatia defender could clear it off the line. He just had to knock it by him.
Now a free kick - England are all over these mugs.
OH!!!! How did England not score . Superb long ball from Delph to Sterling as Kalinic with some brave sweeper keeping heading out in the D, the Kane with a close range effort cleared off the line then Kalinic rushed out to block at the feet of Kane
And another really poor free kick from Chilwell. His delivery has been rotten so far.
Great start from England. They need to keep at it
Agreed. England need to have another player take the set pieces.
Rashford wins another corner now. Please don't let Chilwell take it.
Rash pressures Modric into clearing the ball out for a corner. The corner headed out by Brozovic for another.,
Two quick corners in succession. Stones nods over from the second.
Stones heads the next corner high and wide.
Kate wants to know if, after your interest in the NL this summer during the LOB Reunion, whether you think it's been a success?
I wouldn't really call it a success. It's just a money maker for UEFA.
Stones clears out for a corner from a dangerous opportunity.
A rare Croatia attack and Stones blocks from Perisic for a corner taken short.
Pickford easily saves a long range effort then a long range clearance finds Rash all alone , but is stopped by a superb last ditch tackle from Vrsaljko.
Kate is worried that there have been too many games for England players and that other matches have been canceled.
I agree with Kate. The NL has forced the League C and League D teams to take more matches seriously, but not the top teams
Harry Kane forces another corner off a run and pass from Rash
Superb save by Kalinic from Chilly then Ross Barkley booked for fouling Modric on the break
Vrsaljko off injured for Croatia and replaced by Milic.
The timing of the Summer tournament coincides with my first week as a retiree. An LOB Reunion is the perfect way to celebrate that
Second floor dweller Luka Modric picks out the wrong ball there.
I would love that, mate. When would that be?
Rebic offside off a long ball from Modric.
That would be the first week in June. Not sure about the details .
Well, that attack ended in an offside by well more than two floors.
I have the feeling that the commentary is slightly ahead of the action. Is that true for you?
A less than Sterling run off a superb long ball from the LUFC Academy.
That would work perfectly for me. It would allow me to teach an extra class in May Term before heading down. Count me in!
I haven't noticed , but they seem pro Croatia.
Cheers, mate. We will need to discuss the details. You're prepared for the hot South Texas Summers? Why you would look like a lobster after a spell in the sun.
Also, Jacquelyn's high school graduation ceremony is on May 24th. That would be before the reunion.
I'm sure I will. I'll have to bring a tank top!
Perisic goes past Joe Gomez Addams, looking for a penalty. Weak at best
That's typical Summer attire in our area, mate
Ian Darke trying to shed a bright light on the NL. Not buying any of his nonsense. TT too. Not dynamite.
It'll have to be an "I Love NY" tank, though.
OH!!! A great cross from Chilly and Kalinic completely misses the cross as Ross Barkley volleys into the side netting.
Total nonsense. I keep hearing fans of the NL saying that it's gotten rid of "meaningless friendlies." No - it's gotten rid of meaningful Euro qualifiers with teams such as Poland and Hungary.
That will work for sure. Plenty of sun block will be available as well. A trip to the beach should be in the plans.
Those friendlies were used to test young players. Not as many opportunities for that
Or perhaps a "Beto for President" tank?
Even if England is relegated, they should still qualify for the Euros, so what's the point?
That would please some, but not others. That seemed a really split race.
Rebic with a half chance. Scoops it ugh over the bar, fortunately.
Into stoppage time. A minute of that
I can taste the Texas BBQ already, mate.
It's 0-0 at the half, which England dominated, but failed to take their chances. Hope that doesn't com e back to haunt them
Sounds like a plan for sure.
Half-time: England dominated proceedings but they might rue some of those missed chances for Sterling and Kane.
Teams back out on the Wembley pitch. Croatia making a second change as Berekalo is coming on for a second cap. Not sure who he''s replacing. On for Ante Rebic
Second half underway from WemblEy.
COME ON ENGLAND
We've just started again and Sterling has missed another chance! No changes for England as of yet.
Just a reminder that a scoreless draw would relegate Croatia while a score draw would relegate England.
That's correct, mate. Spot on.
Another great run from Rash but no final product.
This is looking increasingly like the scenario that UWS feared. Even if England were to score one here, Croatia would only need one goal to break England hearts.
Just discovered that the bloody NL will be played every two years. I understand that this one is linked to Euro qualifying, but what is the one in two years linked to?
Dangerous attack there through Perisic and Rebic. Fortunately, there was some good tracking back.
Perisic wins a corner off a pass from Kramaric. Great defending by Gomez Addams
Oh - great run from Rash and he fed Sterling so well. Why oh why didn't he hit that first time?
Corner from Modric headed away and England counter , but Rash tackled as he was about to shoot.
Morning lads. I've been watching from a prone position waiting for the Motrin to kick in. How did I get so old that 2 hours of square dancing last night has made my knees announce their agonizing presence this morning.
You lot satisfied with this? I'm really getting very annoyed that we haven't put this Balkan jerks away by now. Find a bloody finish already.
Modric with a less than Sterling challenge as England win a free kick
Rubbish free kick in from Barkley.
Good morning , Gooner. We're definitely getting older. Feel the same away about the match as you.
Morning, Gooner! Sorry to hear about the aches and pains. I feel you. A few extra laps in the pool these days and my shoulder won't forgive me. The Motrin should do the trick.
Not happy with how profligate Kane and Sterling have been. We should be two or three up.
Why does the NL start four days after the CL Final? Will the players playing in the CL Final play in the NL tournament?
Somehow Ian Darke and Double T have disappeared and been replaced by another commentator.
Bugger! Kramaric has broken Wembley hearts. Deflected off Dier.
DAMN IT! KRAMARIC SCORES WITH A DEFLECTED EFFORT AGAINST THE RUN OF PLAY. ENGLAND PUNISHED FOR NOT TAKING THEIR CHANCES.
Now England will need two in order to avoid relegation.
Well, you could see that coming a mile off. I'm really tired of dominating the Croats and then getting mugged on the counter. What a farce.
Now England need two goals .
Corner in by Sterling. It's a good one, finally. But cleared out eventually.
I don't know how these mugs keep getting rewarded for being so negative all the time. We should be putting them to the sword. They're just not that good.
Oh - Perisic now with a chance out wide left. Too tight an angle for him.
Dele Alli being readied to come on.
It all started with a throw from young keeper, Kalinic after he caught a cross from Dier. Several passes later Vlasic laid it off for Persic to score that deflected effort that puts England in a pickle.
Modric fouls Delph in a dangerous area. Free kick can be swung in.
I'd have Dier off - we need to roll the dice.
How many Hammers in the starting eleven?
Oh, and good morning, lads.
Welcome, WHR! None that I can see.
Like for like as Delle Alli is sandwiched on for Ross Barkley to hopefully deliver a knockout punch to those Balkan jerks.
Ian Darke and Double T are back!
Good morning, WHR. Sorry to say no Hammers on the pitch
What a nonsense this tournament is. England beat Spain on Spanish soil a month ago and are now facing relegation.
Bugger, Auntie Ian and Taylor the twit are back.
Croatia have retreated into their shells again - big surprise.
I'd like to see a bit more urgency from England now - we need two goals!
Adding insult to injury with that duo back on the mics.
Rashford with a great run that ends in a free kick and two yellow cards.
Jedvaj and Brozovic booked for fouling Rash on a speedy run
I'm annoyed that England haven't capitalized on their possession and chances because it's going to mean endless column inches about how great the very ordinary Croats are. I can't believe England has allowed this to happen again.
And another poor delivery from Chilwell! Why do they keep on turning to him for those rather than Barkley?
AN even bigger nonsense is that Croatia started by being hammered 6-0 in Spain and look set to win the group.
Agreed, Gooner. This is the same picture as the semi-final this summer. Croatia completely outplayed but took advantage of their two chances.
Agreed. There has to be someone better at set pieces and corners than Chilwell. He's been very poor.
Right, MUR. It's looking increasingly like a random collection of results.
Spot on Bob and Steve. I agree with both assessments.
Also - that disallowed goal by Welly at Wembley against Spain is looking really costly for us now.
No Hammers? That's a problem
Twenty minutes left for England to dig this one out.
There will be ten groups in Euro qualifying , so even if England are relegated they should be in pot 1 for the Euro draw in a fortnight as they should be in the top ten.
It's gotta be partly psychological. The summer result is hanging over Kane in particular who has just been a shadow of the player he was before we lost in the semis.
Who would you have on, WHR?
Delph should be coming off soon for Lindy. I'd also like to see Sancho come on.
I have been thinking about that disallowed goal, but it's not a factor if England lose this match. This NL has been as much about missed chance by Rash
Yes, he really should have won the match for us in Croatia.
Just as the Doc ordered. Sancho and Lindy about to come on.Lindy for Delph and Sancho for Rash
Just as I'd ordered - Sancho on for Rash and Lindy on for Delph.
Let's get this done, lads!
Oh - Dele really needed to do better there.
Johnno, I agree. I don't know why Arnautovic and Felipe Anderson aren't aren't already on the pitch. As for Wilshere, I think that your physio is trying all the keys to unlock his iron lung machine.
I won't be around for Italy vs the U.S. on Tuesday because Elizabeth and I are going on a road trip to celebrate our Silver Anniversary and to pick up Melanie for Thanksgiving Break.
Aimless ball in from Walker there easily gobbled up by the keeper.
LOL, Gooner!
LOL, Gooner. Nice one
Pass from Delle sandwich cleared for a corner
Oh - good move there but Dele's ball should have been more incisive. Corner.
Bloody poor corner again!
YESSSS!!!! Lindy pokes home!
Game on!
YESSSSSSSSSSS!!!! ENGLAND SCORE OFF A LONG THROW FROM KYLE WALKER. LOOKS LIKE LINDY GOT THE FINAL TOUCH. MATCH ON
Grandstand finish now. Come on, England!
Oh - Dele was nearly in there.
Long throw from Walker headed on by Stones , kane stabbed it past Kalinic and Lindy toe poked it home from a yard out
A little over ten minutes to come. Plenty of time.
As things stand, Spain wins the group and not that disallowed goal is a factor.
That goal is key, now.
Oh - Lindy hacks one off the line!
PHEW! a FREE HEADER FROM A Croatia corner cleared off the line from Lindy. England still in this match
End to end stuff now.
A draw helps neither side. Spain would win the group despite losing their last two matches and one of their two wins was due to help from the ref.
England? Too Spursy? Discuss
Chilly wins a FREE KICK OFF A CLEARANCE FROM pICKFORD.
Yes!!!!!!!
Harry Kane has done it!
YSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! HARRY KANE AND ABLE TO GIVE ENGLAND A COME FROM BEHIND LEAD.
Phew! What a let off. Finally Kane comes alive. Just in time. Thanks be to f**k for that.
You are welcome, lads!
Bob may not have wanted Chilly to take set pieces , but his fee kick was ;left by Dier for Spuds teammate, Kane to stab in from close range
Five minutes or so to gut this one out.
That's true - it was his best delivery of the match, mate.
Not Spursy on that goal. Croatia were Spursy conceding that free kick off an aimless clearance from Pickford.
Kane corner flagging it now, ticking precious seconds off the clock.
England set to win the group and now Croatia set to be relegated.
Now Lovren picks up a late yellow card for some backchat with the ref.
Loveren talks himself into the book. There's a shocker./
Loving Sancho's pace.
If the Wellie goal had counted then England would be undefeated and running away with the group. Deserved winners, IMHO
Three minutes of stoppage time to come. Hold tight, lads.
A trio of stoppage time minutes
England rocking Coratia like a Harry Kane! COR!
Phew - Pickers collects after some nervy moments.
Nice one, mate. Boom boom!
Looks like we'll be celebrating my retirement by watching England in Portugal. A perfect way to celebrate that
Croat forward is a moron for pressuring Pickers and preventing him from putting the ball back in play. Ta for that, moron.
Cheers, mate.
That should just about do it now. Hang on to it.
Nice one, Gooner.
WAY HAY! ENGLAND COME FROM BEHIND TO WIN 2-1 AND WILL BE IN THE TOURNAMENT IN PORTUGAL THIS SUMMER.
I'm off to Costco! Well done. Sorry to steal the fan glory. You did your part too.
That's it - England have won it and will top Group A. Justice served really. Croatia were really poor again as they were in the WC semi-final. They'll be relegated to Group B, while England will play in the tournament in the summer in Portugal.
a GREAT WAY TO START RETIRED LIFE FOR SURE.
Cheerio, WHR! Buy a jumbo box of frozen blueberry pancake corndogs for me! ;-)
That's a fair assessment. All's well that ends well.
Have a great trip to COSTCO, WHR. I'm off to True Value to buy some light bulbs
Enjoy your Sunday errands, MUR! Cheerio!
England Win! And deservedly so. I didn't like the profligacy of our forwards. That's gotta change and right away. If Chilwelll keeps his place, Gareth must find another set piece taker. One successful hit, misplayed by their defenders for a jammy finish is not good enough at the international level. It's a good day, but it should have been much, much better. I await a contrite reexamination from the sportswriters of just how good the Croats are. Take that Modric and Rakatic!
Cheers. Great chatting . Spot on Gooner as Croatia are gonners. Enjoy the rest of the day everyone.
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